Mailwatch(ed) Forum

*picture of a child recovering from cancer on an NHS ward*

'THAT'S NOT FREE I PAID FOR IT VIA GENERAL TAXATION'

Another brilliant salvo from the sharpest minds around.

Top thinking.

The FCA have told Stride to get lost.

In other news, Dominic Raab seems to have been as charming in private as in public.

Its not always appropriate to tell it like it is.

Yeah, he was right about UK power. Not quite the face he presented to the electorate though.

Jenrick was so provincial, he went to university in his native West Midlands, where he became a salt of the earth solicitor.

Nah, he went to liberal elite Cambridge, then university in the US, and then worked in London.

He might as well try this stuff though. Nobody in America seems to care that Republicans push this same bullshit about themselves. Though in fairness the likes of John Kennedy do at least try to talk in their provincial accents. Jenrick still sounds like exactly what he is.

provincial /prəˈvɪnʃl/
adjective
1. of or concerning a province of a country or empire. "the provincial government"
2. of or concerning the regions outside the capital city of a country, especially when regarded as unsophisticated or narrow-minded.

Why's Jenrick telling the FT this?

I seem to recall Ben Houchen threatening to sue people, including Andy MacDonald.

Worth clicking the thread, hundreds of millions of pounds at stake. But Lord Ali bought specs for Starmer. As I've said before, I'm something of a devolution sceptic, or at least a devolution gradualist. It's all very well to say "get the Treasury out of the way, let this young meteor local politician get on with it". I'd personally have rather had the actual Permanent Secretary of the Treasury in charge, from London, one day a week, than Ben Houchen. (Not that those are the only possibilities).

Cue comments about cutting a few corners and sharp practice, and how this is just how things are in big business, not that Labour will understand...

I seem to recall Michael Gove being in the vicinity when allegations were made against Houchen. Glad that he made sure the problems got fixed.

Private Eye did a big expose of Houchen’s activities a couple of weeks ago. Comprehensive, it was.

On the crookedness scale, between "little bit woor, little bit waaay" and "dog's hind leg", where did he land?

Abernathy wrote: ↑Thu Dec 18, 2025 12:52 pm Private Eye did a big expose of Houchen’s activities a couple of weeks ago. Comprehensive, it was.

Private Eye have been on the case for a number of years

Dog’s hind leg, for sure.

Tories: Up to no good again.

Husband in court charged with drugging and raping ex-wife

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdrnvvyy8kzo

Among the 56 charges, Mr Young - who police described as a white British national - is accused of voyeurism, possession of indecent images of children and possession of extreme images.

Dressed in a pair of dark blue jeans and a black zip-up jumper, he was remanded into custody earlier.

Mr Young served as a Conservative Swindon borough councillor for Covingham and Nythe between 2007 and 2010. The alleged offences are said to have taken place between 2010 and 2023.

I should have posted this under "Oh no, it's one of ours".

I note that leaders in the white, middle-aged man community have failed to condemn his actions.

You had to really dig in the coverage for who he was a councillor for.

mattomac wrote: ↑Sat Dec 27, 2025 1:33 am You had to really dig in the coverage for who he was a councillor for.

There's a pattern emerging isn't there.

Actual Tory peer, nominated by Boris Johnson. Trump didn't tell the Senate Armed Services Committee. That's the Senate's fault is it?

And indeed, completely wrong about Grenada.